Written by: Teo Yi Tern (Ethan)
Edited by: Soh Ying Qi & Dominic Koek
Photos by: Teo Yi Tern (Ethan)
Exchange University: University of Edinburgh
“My exchange experience has made me appreciate Singapore a lot more. I have often overlooked how convenient Singapore is with the entire island well-connected by public transport and hawker centres that sell cheap and delicious food everywhere.”
As someone who is considered a “mugger” by many of my peers, the opportunity to study overseas was liberating. Although, I have to admit that initially it was really challenging to deal with the entire “Pass/Fail” situation. It was terrifying to suddenly let go of the “I have to score an A” mentality. However, the semester at the University of Edinburgh (UOE) gave me the opportunity to reflect on the past two years of my university life. I would say that one of the takeaways from studying abroad is that there is so much more to my university life than just grades and internships.
Myths about Studying Abroad
1. Myth: Exchange is easy, so you don’t have to study.
Despite being graded on a “Pass/Fail” basis, you should not completely neglect your studies. Instead, this is actually the best time for you to explore courses that you have always wanted to try, but never had the chance to do so! You would also need to get a good grasp of the concepts taught in the classes in order to pass the courses.
2. Myth: People get their things stolen overseas.
Despite the number of stories that we have heard about people having their phones and wallets stolen in Europe, it is relatively safe as long as you keep a constant lookout for all your belongings.
3. Myth: Living in Europe is expensive, and you have to spend a lot on exchange.
The first part is true, but if you manage to hunt for deals and bargains, you can still enjoy exchange and save money. By using Too Good to Go (a mobile application that allows users to get discounted unsold meals from restaurants at the end of the day) and cooking most of my meals, I was able to save around SGD $5-6 per meal.
Value the Little Things in Life
One of the most shocking things about living in Europe was definitely the cost of haircuts. The cheapest barber that I could find in Edinburgh was £8, with the usual price of getting a haircut between £15 and £20. Because of that, I did not cut my hair for a few months!
Since I went to Edinburgh alone, one of the biggest challenges that I had to overcome was also the feeling of loneliness. In Singapore, whenever I was facing problems, I always had someone to talk to. It was definitely difficult to adapt to life in a different country all alone, and it took a few weeks before I finally felt more comfortable in Edinburgh. I think going exchange all by yourself definitely forces you to be independent and pushes you right out of your comfort zone.
If anything, living overseas for 6 months definitely taught me the importance of appreciating every moment with my family and friends. Back in Singapore, I was able to easily grab lunch with my friends or travel home for dinner. Yet, far too often, I skipped those social commitments and family meals just to complete a few more tutorial questions, or to type a few more paragraphs for my assignments. However, living alone in Edinburgh made me realise that those moments with my family and friends which I had missed were never coming back again. While work and studies are important, this study abroad experience reminded me that we should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones.
About UniverSalPals
UniverSalPals is an initiative that invites students who have gone for the NTU-USP Study Abroad / NTU Global Education and Mobility (GEM) Explorer Programme for a semester to chronicle and share about their adventures, changes in perspectives, and growth paths on exchange. Living in a foreign environment for 5 months isn’t a long time, but you can’t say it’s short either. You’ll be surprised at how much a semester exchange abroad can teach you – both about the world and yourself.
